General
Appearance
Strong, square-looking dog with great symmetry and overall soundness. Absolutely
free from legginess, profusely coated all over. A thick-set muscular,
able-bodied dog with a most intelligent expression. The natural outline should
not be artificially changed by scissoring or clipping.

Characteristics
Of great stamina, exhibiting a gently rising topline, and a pear-shaped body
when viewed from above. The gait has a typical roll when ambling or walking.
Bark has a distinctive toned quality.

Temperament
A biddable dog of even disposition. Bold, faithful and trustworthy, with no
suggestion of nervousness or unprovoked aggression.

Head and
Skull
In proportion to the size of the body. Skull capacious, rather square. Well
arched above eyes, stop well defined. Muzzle strong, square and truncated,
measuring approximately half of the total head length. Nose large and black.
Nostrils wide.

Eyes
Set well apart. Dark or wall eyes. Two blue eyes acceptable. Light eyes
undesirable. Pigmentation on the eye rim is preferred.

Forequarters
Forelegs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone, holding body well from ground.
Elbows fitting close to brisket. Shoulders should be well laid back, being
narrower at the point of withers than at the point of shoulder. Loaded shoulders
undesirable. Dog standing lower at withers than loin.

Body
Rather short, and compact, with well sprung ribs, and deep capacious brisket.

Hindquarters
Loin very sturdy, broad and gently arched, quarters well covered round and
muscular, the second thigh is long and well developed, the stifle well turned,
and the hocks set low. From the rear the hocks should be quite straight, with
the feet turning neither in nor out.

Gait/Movement
When walking, exhibits a bear-like roll from the rear. When trotting, shows
effortless extension and strong driving rear action, with legs moving straight
along line of travel. Very elastic at the gallop. At slow speeds, some dogs may
tend to pace. When moving, the head carriage may adopt a naturally lower
position.

Coat
Profuse, of good harsh texture, not straight, but shaggy and free from curl.
Undercoat of waterproof pile. Head and skull well covered with hair, ears
moderately coated, neck well coated, forelegs well coated all round,
hindquarters more heavily coated than rest of body. Quality, texture, and
profusion to be considered above mere length.

Colour
Any shade of grey, grizzle or blue. Body and hindquarters of solid colour with
or without white socks. White patches in the solid area to be discouraged. Head,
neck, forequarters and under belly to be white with or without markings. Any
shade of brown undesirable.

Size
Height: dogs: 61 cms (24 ins) and upwards; bitches: 56 cms (22 ins) and upwards.
Type and symmetry of greatest importance, and on no account to be sacrificed to
size alone.

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into
the scrotum.